On Wed, 07 Feb 2007 14:47:20 -0500, krj
wrote:

They had planned to go from St. Petersburg to Marathon. Rather than sail
around Key West, most people opt to take Big Spanish channel. The
entrance to the channel is about 3 nm NNE of the Content Keys. there is
a lighted marker (G57) at the channel entrance. That's the only lighted
marker until you get east of No Name Key. Most people I know do not
attempt to run this channel at night. They wait at Cape Sable and leave
at first light in order to run the channel in daylight. According to my
GRIB file the wind at 1AM Feb 6 was 25-30 KN from the NE with 7-8 ft.
seas. Most likely, if he turned SE at G57, he didn't allow for the
strong wind, missed "G55" (unlighted) and ended up on Harbor Key Bank
(1-2 ft.).
krj

Skip's boat draws 6 1/2 feet which is too much for Big Spanish channel
in my opinion, especially at night. I draw 5 1/2 and don't take Big
Spanish even during the day. The channel south from Bullard Bank and
Red Bay Bank into Moser Channel is much deeper and easier to
negotiate. I pointed that out to Skip several times on this group.

http://tinyurl.com/3b8c42